President Obama told African leaders on Tuesday that he is confident he could win a third term if he were allowed to run again. Speaking to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Obama promoted democratic rule and rebuked African leaders who refuse to give up power, using his own Constitutionally mandated term limits as an example.
"I love my job," he told the leaders, reported NBC News. "But under our Constitution, I cannot run again. I actually think I'm a pretty good president - I think if I ran, I could win - but I can't!"
He told them that, in the United States, "the law is the law - no one person is above the law, not even the president," adding that he doesn't understand why leaders attempt to use force to remain in power, "especially when they've got a lot of money."
As Politico notes, many African leaders hold on to power for decades, only relinquishing control due to a coup or old age.
Obama asked the African Union to use its authority to ensure that African leaders abide by imposed term limits and adhere to their constitutions.
"No one should be president for life," he said.
Obama's remarks on term limits were at least partially in reference to Burundi's leader, President Pierre Nkurunziza, who was recently controversially re-elected to a third term even though he is constitutionally limited to two terms, according to Fox News.
"There's still so much I want to get done to keep America moving forward. But the law is the law and no one is above it, not even presidents," Obama said. "And, frankly, I'm looking forward to life after being president. It will mean more time with my family, new ways to serve, and more visits to Africa."
Obama's speech marked the end of a five-day visit to Ethiopia and Kenya. He flies back to Washington D.C. on Tuesday.
